Liability Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

1

[noncount]

:

the state of being legally responsible for something

:

the state of being liable for something

• The company is trying to limit its liability in this case.
• criminal liability [=the state of being responsible for a crime]
• The judge cleared me of any/all liability for the accident. [=the judge said that I was not responsible for the accident]

2

[count]

:

something (such as the payment of money) for which a person or business is legally responsible

• a tax liability [=taxes that will have to be paid]

— usually plural

• business assets and liabilities [=_debts_]

3

[count]

:

someone or something that causes problems

• His small size was a liability (to him) as a football player.
• This scandal has made the vice president a liability (for this administration).